Building block structure



Nov. 26, 1968 D. 1.. BRETTINGEN 3,412,519

BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 3, 1965 15 Sheets-Sheet l ll I2 20 INVENTOR DAVID L. BRETTINGEN ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1968 D. L. BRETTINGEN BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE 1Z5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGIT Filed Dec. 3, 1965 II: I

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Nov. 26, 196% D. L. TTTTTTTT EN 3,412,519

BUI LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL RE 13 eeeeeeeeeee t5 Nov. 26, 1968 D. BRETTINGEN BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE 1Z5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 3, 1965 Nov. 26, 1968 b. BRETTINGEN 3,412,519

BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 5, 1965 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-42G FlG42b '75 Ag; ZQFIGAZc Nov. 26, 1968 D. BRETTINGEN 3,412,519

BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 5, 1965 l3 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 26, 1968 D. 1.. BRETTINGEN BU ILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE l5 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 5, 1965 Nov. 26, 1968 D. L. BRETTINGEN BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE l5 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 3, 1965 968 D. L. BRETTINGEN 3,412,519

BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 5, 1965 13 Sheets-Sheet 1O Nov. 26, 1968 D. BRETTINGEN BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Dec. 5, 1965 Nov. 26, 1968 D. L. BRETTINGEN BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE l3 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Dec. 5, 1965 FIGGICJ FlG.6lc

Nov. 26, 1968 Filed Dec.

D. L. BRETTINGEN BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE United States Patent Office 3,412,519 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 3,412,519 BUILDING BLOCK STRUCTURE David L. Brettingen, 74 Ash, Park Forest, Ill.

Filed Dec. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 511,533 18 Claims. (Cl. 52593) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a building block structure and in particular, to a structure having elements that may be assembled and utilized together in various ways to provide various resultant structures.

It is an object of this invention to provide a building block structure which is simple and economical to manufacture and which is relatively easy to assemble and disassemble.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a building block structure which enables the user to assemble various designs and figures from simple elements.

Another object of this invention is to provide a building block structure wherein the elements thereof can be combined in various degrees of complicatedness from the very simple to the extremely complicated to provide a corresponding challenge to the user thereof.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a building block structure which will be mentally stimulating and geometrically educational for the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a building block structure which has a unique frictional relationship between the elements thereof to retain the elements together for the various resultant structures that can be formed therefrom.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention includes a building block structure wherein geometrically regular discs can be assembled together in pairs and in hinged-paired relation to form regular or irregular composite polyhedron structures having apertures for receiving struts to interconnect the polyhedrons, and having elements that can be utilized within the polyhedrons to secure the struts thereto.

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a geometrically regular triangular disc;

FIG. 2 is an edge view of the triangular disc with an exaggerated thickness;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a regular rectangular disc;

FIG. 4 is an edge view of the rectangular disc with an exaggerated thickness.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a regular pentagonal disc;

FIG. 6 is an edge view of the pentagonal disc with an exaggerated thickness;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a regular hexagonal disc;

FIG. 8 is an edge view of the hexagonal disc with an exaggerated thickness;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an octagonal disc;

FIG. 10 is an edge view of the octagonal disc with an exaggerated thickness;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a regular decagonal disc;

FIG. 12 is an edge view of the decagonal disc with an exaggerated thickness;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view along line 1313 of FIG. 7 showing the typical configuration of the discs adjacent the projections thereon;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the hinge;

FIG. 15 is an edge view of the hinge;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of four triangular discs interlocked in pairs to form two modules flexibly interconnected by a hinge;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a module or pair of interconnected discs;

FIG. 18 is an exploded front view of the discs to be interconnected to form the triangular modules;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the interlocked and flexibly interconnected disc modules with one module bent over the other;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of interconnected hexagonal and rectangular modules;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the interconnected hexagonal and rectangular modules;

FIG. 22 is an exploded front view of discs to be interconnected to form the hexagonal and rectangular modules;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the hexagonal and rectangular modules with the rectangular modules flexed obliquely with respect to the hexagonal modules;

FIGS. 2427 show examples of regular and irregular composite structures that can be formed with the hexagonal modules;

FIG. 28 shows an example of two regular composite structures having modules interattached as shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 29 is a top view of two regular tetrahedron composite structures assembled from regular hexagonal modules and interconnected with struts;

FIG. 30 is a front view of the two tetrahedron composite structures and struts;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a base block utilized within the composite structures shown in FIGS. 29-34;

FIG. 32 is an end view of the tetrahedon structure and struts;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view taken along line 33- -33 of FIG. 29;

FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken along line 3434 of FIG. 29;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35a shows a strut of equilateral cross-section used with the quadrahedron composites;

FIG. 35b shows a strut of isosceles cross-section used with the quadrahedron composites;

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of two regular hexahedron composite structures assembled from regular octagonal modules and showing the interconnecting struts therefor;

FIG. 37 is an end view of the regular hexahedron composite structures;

FIG. 38 is a front view of the regular hexahedron composite structures;

FIG. 39 is a representative view of the base block utilized within the hexahedron composite structures shown in FIGS. 36-38 and 40-42;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken along line 4040 of FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken along line 41-41 of FIG. 37 and rotated clockwise;

FIG. 42 is a sectional view taken along line 4242 of FIG. 37 and rotated 90 clockwise;

FIG. 42a shows a strut of equilateral cross-section used with the hexahedron composites;

FIG. 42b shows a strut of isoceles cross-section used with the hexahedron composites;

FIG. 420 shows a strut of right angle cross-section used with the hexahedron composites;

FIG. 43 is a top plan view of two regular octahedron composite structures assembled from regular hexagonal modules and showing the interconnecting struts therefor;

FIG. 44 is an end view of the octahedron composite structures;

FIG. 45 is a front view of the octahedron composite structures;

FIG. 46 is a plan view of a base block utilized within the composite structures shown in FIGS. 43-45 and 48- 50;

FIG. 47 is an elevational view of the base block utilized within the composite structures shown in FIGS. 43-45 and 48-50;

FIG. 48 is a sectional view taken along line 48-48 of FIG. 43;

FIG. 49 is a sectional view taken along line 49-49 of FIG. 43;

FIG. 50 is a sectional view taken along line 50-50 of FIG. 43;

FIG. 50:: shows a strut of square cross-section used with the octahedron composites;

FIG. 50b shows a strut of diamond cross-section used with the octahedron composites;

FIG.'51 is a front view of two dodecahedron regular composite structures assembled from regular decagonal modules and showing the interconnecting struts therefor;

FIG. 52 is a rear view of the dodecahedron composite structures;

FIG. 53 is an end view of the dodecahedron composite structures;

FIG. 54 is a representative view of the base block utilized within the dodecahedron composite structures shown in FIGS. 51-53 and 55-56 and 58;

FIG. 540 shows the strut of equilateral cross-section used with the dodecahedron composites;

FIG. 54b shows the strut of isosceles cross-section used with the dodecahedron composites;

FIG. 540 shows a strut of irregular triangular crosssection used with the dodecahedron composites;

FIG. 54d shows a strut of more acute isosceles crosssection used with the dodecahedron composites;

FIG. 55 is a sectional view taken along line 55-55 of FIG. 52;

FIG. 56 is a sectional view taken along line 56-56 of FIG. 53;

FIG. 57 is a sectional view taken along line 57-57 of FIG. 51 and rotated 90 counterclockwise;

FIG. 58 shows the regular dodecahedron with the upper front decagon removed to show the interrelationship of struts and base block therein;

FIG. 59 is a top view of icosahedrons assembled from hexagonal modules;

FIG. 60 is a front view of icosahedrons assembled from hexagonal modules;

FIG. 61 is an end view of icosahedrons assembled form hexagonal modules;

' FIG. 61a shows a strut of. pentagonal cross-section used with the icosahedron composites;

FIG. 61b shows a strut of pentagonal cross-section used with the icosahedron composites;

FIG. 61c shows a strut of regular pentagonal crosssection used with the icosahedron composites;

FIG. 62 is a representative view of the base block utilized within the icosahedrons;

FIG. 63 is a sectional view taken along line 63-63 of FIG. 59;

FIG. 64 is a sectional view taken along line 64-64 of FIG. 60; and

FIG. 65 is a sectional view taken along line 65-65 of FIG. 59.

Several forms and examples of the invention are illustrated in the figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like structural elements. The invention provides generally for plates or discs hereinafter generally referred to as discs, modules formed With like pairs of discs,

hinges for interconnecting the modules into composite structures, struts extended from and adapted to interconnect the composite structures, and base and strut blocks within the composite structures to retain the struts there- 1n.

The simplest disc form of this invention is the regular triangular form (FIGS. 1 and 2) which is referred to generally by the numeral 10. The disc 10 is provided with a triangular projection 11 and an adjacent recess or aperture 12 adjacent each edge 14 on one face surface 13 and v in alternate paired array around the periphey of the disc 10.

A second type of disc is the regular rectangular type referred to generally by the numeral 15 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The disc ls'includes the projection 11 and recess of projection aperture 12 adjacent each edge 16 on one facesurface 17 and in alternate paired array around the periphery of the disc 15. A triangular hinge recess 18 is provided in the surface 17 around the projection 11 and adjacent aperture 12.

A third type of disc 19 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is a regular pentagon having edges 20, face surface 21, the paired projections and recess 11 and 12 along each edge 20, and the hinge recess 18.

A fourth type of disc 22 (FIGS. 7 and 8) is a regular hexagon having edges 23, face surface 24, the paired projections and recess 11 and 12, and the recess therearound.

A fifth type of disc 25 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is a regular octagon having edges 26, face surface 27, the paired projections and recesses 11 and 12, and the recess 18 therearound.

A sixth type of disc 28 (FIGS. 11 and 12) is a regular decagon having edges 29, face surface 30, the paired projections and recesses 11 and 12, and the recess 18 therearound.

The hexagonal disc 22 is shown in section in FIG. 13 to further illustrate the configuration and relationship of the projections 11, projection recesses 12 and hinge recess 18 which are typical of all discs shown (FIGS. 3-12). The discs 10, 15, 19, 22, 25 and 28 are preferably made from a firm yet slightly deformable plastic.

A hinge 31 is shown (FIGS. 14 and 15) which is preferably made from a flexible material but at least must be bendable. The hinge 31 has apertures 32 formed therethrough of the same or slightly less size and configuration of a paired projection 11 and recess 12. The hinges 31 are symmetrical about a center section 33 and the apertures 32, with each half thereof having a triangular size and configuration that is complemental with the recesses 18. The center section 33 varies in width depending on the amount of deflection wished when two paired modules are connected. The thickness of each recess 18 is substantially equal to the thickness of the hinge 31.

The discs are secured together in module pairs by forcing a pair of discs together with the projections 11 of each disc extendedtoward the other disc of the pair. For example, a triangular module 10a is formed from two regular triangular discs 10 (FIGS. 16-19) by forcing two of the discs together with the projections of each disc extending toward the other disc and frictionally into the slightly smaller projection recesses 12 of the other disc. As a result, a triangular module 10a is assembled. Similarly, the other discs 15, 19, 22, 25, and 28 can be assembled to provide a corresponding square module 15a, pentagonal module 19a, hexagonal module 22a, octagonal module 25a, and a decagonal module 28a.

The modules 10a, 15a, 19a, 22a, 25a, and 28a can be flexibly interconnected by a hinge 31 (FIGS. 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, and 23). In particular, the modules are interconnected by placing a hinge 31 between each disc of a module and extendingbetween the modules to be interconnected. When the discs of a module are secured together the projection 11 of one disc and the projection 11 of another in the recess 12 adjacent thereto are extended through one aperture 32 of the hinge and thereby act as an anchor for that end of the hinge. Likewise, the adjacent projections 11 of the discs of the other module to be connected will anchor the other side of the hinge between the discs of that module.

Thus, the two modules are interconnected along an edge thereof with the center section 33 of the hinge spanning therebetween. It should be noted that the total depth of the recess 18 respectively provides for receiving the thickness of the hinge 31. Also, it should be noted that the center section 33 of the hinges 31, in conjunction with the flexibility of the hinge 31, allows the interconnected modules, such as the examples a and a (FIGS. 19 and 23) to be pivoted with respect to each other. It should be further noted that the interconnection between modules as just described is continuous to allow assembling of composite structures of irregular shapes 34 (FIGS. 24- 26) as well as regular shapes 35 (FIGS. 27 and 28).

It should be generally noted as hereinafter described, that struts are provided in varying sizes and shapes depending on the composite to be used therewith and the particular aperture of the composite that the strut is to be inserted in. Also, struts of the invention, as well as all other parts thereof, are preferably made of rigid plastic. Further, for purposes of simplicity and clarity, in the following description of the composites (FIGS. 29- 65), the modules are drawn as being one piece, inasmuch as the modules tend to function as one piece once they are assembled.

One or several modules may be connected to an edge of any module as shown (FIG. 23), which facilitates additional construction of a composite on a module of another composite (FIG. 28). Also, all struts preferably have the ends thereof perpendicular to the axis thereof to prevent interference with other struts within a composite and to give maximum end surface for frictional engagement of the strut ends with end blocks as hereinafter described.

FIGS. 29-3 5b illustrate a modification of the invention with respect to tetrahedron composites 40 that have been assembled from the hexagon modules as previously described. This modification includes generally struts 41 and 42, a base block 43, strut end block 44, and strut connecting block 45. The composites 40 have equilateral triangular apertures 46.

The strut 41 is complemental with and slightly larger than the effective shape of the two most closely adjacent apertures 46 when the strut 41 is inserted through these apertures. The strut 41 will thus :be frictionallyretained in the apertures 46 of the composite 40. The strut 42 is complemental with and slightly larger than the apertures 46 so that when it is inserted somewhat straight into the composite 40, the strut 42 will be frictionally retained in the composite 40.

The base block 43, end block 44 and connecting block 45 are provided to secure the struts 41 and 42 in the composite 40 (FIGS. 31, 33 and 34). The base block is six sided (FIG. 31) and is uniformly provided with four regular corners 47 and beveled remaining corners 48. Each side of the 'base block 43 has diagonal slots 49 extending on a line between the regular corners 47. The base block 43 is of appropriate size to be self-supported within the composite 40 with its respective corners 47 on the center of the inner surface 50 of the modules 22 with the beveled corners 48 facing the apertures 46. The diagonal from 47 to 47 is substantially equal to the length of a side of a module of 40. It should be noted that the base block 43 can be considered to be a solid regular polyhedron that has been modified by removal of certain parts thereof to allow passage of struts through and into the composite 40 and to receive the blocks 44 and 45.

The end bock 44 has a triangular projection 50 on one side thereof and is adapted to frictionally enter a complemental opening 51 in the strut 42 to retain the strut 42 therewith. A plug 52 projects from the other side of the end block 44 and is adapted to frictionally enter socket 53 to retain the end block 44 to the base block 43. Thus, the strut 42 is secured to the base block 43 and the composite 40.

The connecting block 45 (FIGS. 34 and 35) has triangular projections 54 extending from each side thereof. Each projection 54 is adapted to frictionally enter a complemental opening 55 in the strut 41 to retain the strut 41 therewith. A plug 56 is provided thereon which is adapted to frictionally enter the slot 49 of the base block 43 to retain the connecting block 45 to the base block 43. Thus, the strut 42 is secured to the base block 43 and the composite 40. It should be noted that the strut 41 can also be retained in the composite 40 when frictionally inserted through two adjacent apertures 46 and against the base block 43 (FIGS. 32-35).

FIGS. 36-420 illustrate a modification having hexahedron composites 60 that have been assembled from octagon modules as previously described. This modification includes generally, struts 61 and 62, strut 63, base block 64, strut end block 65, and strut connecting blocks 66 and 67. The composites 60 have equilateral triangular apertures 68.

The strut 62 is complemental with and slightly larger than the apertures 68 when inserted diagonally across a module 25a and through two substantially adjacent apertures. The strut 62 will thereby be frictionally retained in the composite 60. The strut 61 is complemental with and slightly larger than the apertures 68 so that when it is inserted somewhat straight into an aperture 68 of the composite 60, the strut 62 will be frictionally retained in the composite 60. The strut 63 is complemental with and slightly larger than the apertures 68, so that when it is inserted through two substantially adjacent edge apertures 68, the strut 63 will be frictionally retained in the composite 60.

The base block 64 has saddle surfaces 69 and 69a, saddle slots 70, end surfaces 71, and end slots 72. The base block 64 is of appropriate size to be supported within the composite 60 provided struts or connecting blocks 66 or 67 are appropriately placed. It should be noted that the base block 64 can be considered to be a solid regular polyhedron that has been modified by removal of certain parts thereof to allow passage of struts through and into the composite 60 and to receive the blocks 65, 66 and 67.

The end block 65 (FIG. 41) has a triangular projection 74 on one side thereof that is adapted to frictionally enter a complemental opening 75 in the strut 61 to retain the strut 61 therewith. A plug 76 projects from the other side of the end block 65 that can be inserted in a recess 76a. It should be noted that the other side of the end block 65 is generally complemental with the saddle surfaces 69a and the plug 76 is adapted to frictionally enter any one of the recesses 76a to retain the end block 65 to the base block 64. Thus, the strut 61 is secured to the base block 64 and the composite 60.

The connecting block 66 (FIG. 42) has triangular projections 77 extending from one or both sides thereof, and each is adapted to frictionally enter a complemental opening 78 in the strut 63 to retain the strut 63 therewith. A plug 79 is provided thereon which is adapted tofrictionally enter the end surface slot 72 of the base block 64 to retain the connecting block 66 to the base block 64. Thus, the strut 63 is secured to the base block 64 and the composite 60.

The connecting block 67 (FIG. 42) similarly has a projection 80 that complementally and frictionally receives the strut 62 in an opening 81 thereof, and a plug 82 adapted to frictionally enter any one of the saddle slots 70 of the base block 64 to retain the connecting block 67 to the base block 64. Thus, the strut 62 is secured to the base block 64 and the composite 60. It should be noted that the struts 61, 62 and 63 can also be frictionally retained in the apertures 68 of the composites 60 between the module inner surface 73 and the base block 64 saddle or end surfaces 69 or 71.

FIGS. 43-50 illustrate a modification having octahedron composites 85 that have been assembled from hexagon modules 22a as previously described. This modification also includes generally, struts 86 and 87, base block 88, strut end block 89, and strut connecting block 90. The composites 85 have regular rectangular apertures 91.

The struts 86 and 87 are complemental with and slightly larger than the apertures 91 when inserted straight through apertures 91 and the center of the composite 85, and along one edge of the composite 85 respectively. The struts 86 and 87 will thereby be frictionally likewise r tained in the composite 85.

The base block 88 (FIGS. 46, 47, 49, and 50), has saddle surfaces 92, saddle surface slots 93, recessed surfaces 94, and surface sockets 95. The base block 88 is supported within the composite 85 with points 96 in respective engagement with the center of adjacent inner surfaces 97 of the module 22a. It should be noted that the base block 88 can be considered to be a solid regular polyhedron that has been modified by removal of certain parts thereof to allow passage of struts through and into the composites 85 and to receive the blocks 89 and 90.

The end block 89 (FIGS. 43, 49, and 50) has a square projection 98 on one side thereof that is adapted to frictionally enter a complemental opening 99 in the strut 86 to retain the strut 86 therewith. A plug 100 projects from the other side of the end block 89, which is generally complemental with the recess surface socket 95 and is adapted thereto to frictionally retain the end block 89 to the base block 88. Thus, the strut 86 is secured to the base block 88 and the composite 85.

The connecting block 90 (FIG. 49) has a diamondshaped projection 101 that is adapted to frictionally enter a complemental opening 102 in the strut 87 to retain the strut 87 therewith. A plug 103 is provided thereon to frictionally enter the slots 93 of the base block 88. Thus, the strut 87 is secured to the base block 88 and the composite 85. It should be noted that the strut 87 (FIG. 50) can also be frictionally retained in the apertures 91 of the composites 85 between the module inner surface 97 and the base block 88.

FIGS. 51-58 illustrate the modification having dodecahedron composites 105 assembled from decagonal modules 28a as previously described. This modification also includes generally, struts 106-109, base block 110, strut end blocks 111 and 112, and strut connecting block 113. The composites 105 have apertures 114.

The struts 106-109 are complemental with and slightly larger than the apertures 114 when respectively inserted through the most adjacent apertures 114, across an inner module surface 115, off-center through the composite 105, and generally straight toward the center of the composite 105. The struts 106-109 will thereby be frictionally retained in the composite 105.

The base block 110 (FIGS. 54-58) has, among other things, numerous saddle surfaces such as 116 and 116a, saddle surface slots 117, abutting surfaces 118, abutting surface sockets 119, lateral protrusions 120, protrusion end surfaces 121, and protrusion slots 122. The base block 110 is supported within the composite 105 with points 123 thereof in respective engagement with the center of the adjacent inner surfaces 115 of the modules 28a. It should be noted that the base block 110 can be considered to be a solid regular polyhedron that has been modified by removal of certain parts thereof to allow passage of struts through and into the composites 105 and to receive the blocks 111. 112 and 113.

The end blocks 111 and 112 (FIG. 56) have triangular projections 125 and 126 respectively extending from one side thereof and adapted to respectively frictionally enter complemcntal openings 127 and 128 of struts 106 and 107 to retain the struts 106 and 107 therewith. A plug 129 projects from the other side of each strut 106 and 107 8 which is adapted to frictionally enter the socket 119 to retain the end blocks 111 and 112 to the base block 110. Thus, the struts 111 and 112 are secured to the base block and the composite 105.

The connecting blocks 113 and 113a (FIGS. 55 and 56) have triangular projections 130 and 130a adapted to frictionally enter openings 131 in the strut 109 to retain the strut 109 therewith. Projections 132 and 132a are respectively on the blocks 113 and 113a to frictionally enter the slots 122 and 122a of the protrusions 120. Thus, the strut 109 is secured by either block 113 or 113a to the base block 110 and the composites 105.

The connecting blocks 11Qb and 1130 (FIGS. 56 and 58) have triangular projections 13011 and 130s adapted to frictionally enter an opening 108a in the strut 108 to retain the strut 108 therewith. A projection 13212 is provided to frictionally enter the slot 117. Thus, the strut 108 is secured to the base block 110 and the composite 105. It should be noted that the strut 108 (FIGS. 52, 53, 54c, and 56) is frictionally retained in the apertures 114 of the composites 105 across the inner module surface 115 and through other than adjacent apertures 114.

FIGS. 59-65 illustrate the modification having icosahedron composites 135 assembled from hexagonal modules 22a as previously described. This modification also includes generally struts 136-138, base block 139, strut end blocks 140 and 141, connecting blocks 142, and composite apertures 143.

The struts 136-138 are complemental with and sli htly larger than the apertures 143 when respectively inserted through two of the most adjacent apertures 143, offcenter into the composite 135, and generally through the center of the composite 135. The struts 136-138 will thereby be frictionally retained in the composite 135.

The base block 139 (FIGS. 62, 63, and 65) has, among other things, numerous saddle surfaces such as 144, connecting surfaces 145 between saddle surfaces 144, connecting surface slots 146, block saddle surfaces 147, and sockets 148 and 148a. The base block 139 is adapted to be supported within the composites 135 with the points 149 formed by the converging saddle surfaces 144 in respective engagement with the center of the modules 22a of the composites 135. It should be noted that the base block 139 can be considered to be a solid regular polyhedron that has been modified by removal of certain parts thereof to allow passage of struts through and into the composites 135 and to receive the blocks 140, 141, and 142.

The end blocks 140 and 141 (FIGS. 63 and 65) have pentagonal projections 150 and 151 respectively extending from one side therof and adapted to respectively frictionally enter complemental openings 152 and 153 of the struts 138 and 137 to retain these struts. Plugs 148 and 148a respectively project from the other side of the end blocks 140 and 141 which are adapted to frictionally enter the sockets 148 and 148a to retain the end blocks 140 and 141 to the base block 139. Thus, the struts 137 and 138 are secured to the base block 139 and the composite 135.

The connecting block 143 (FIGS. 63 and 65) has a pentagonal projection 155 adapted to frictionally enter an opening 156 in the strut 136 to retain the strut 136 therewith. A projection 157 is also provided thereon to frictionally enter the slots 146 of the connecting surfaces 145. Thus, the struts 136 are secured to the base block 139 and the composite 135. It should be noted that the struts 136 can be frictionally retained in the apertures 143 of the composites 135 through adjacent apertures 143 (FIG. 64).

It is to be noted that the symmetry of the composites and base blocks, and the special shape of the base blocks of each embodiment, provides the same choice of struts and strut positionrnent at each aperture of each embodiment. Further, the choice of struts and strut positionment at each aperture does not inerfere with the choice at any other aperture within any particular polyhedron composite provided only, that no strut is extended more than half way through its associated composite.

In this regard, it should be noted that an exceptional situation exists with respect to the strut 108 as shown in FIG. 58 wherein the strut 108 must not be inserted any further than that shown, which is substantially less than half way to prevent its interference with other struts.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A building block structure comprising a geometrically regular plate having planar upper and lower sur faces bounded by three straight edges, and projections secured to said plate and extending from a surface thereof said plate having recesses formed immediately adjacent the projection surface thereof and identical in cross-section with said projections to respectively frictionally receive projections of another of said plates in paired relation with said projections of said plate when said other plate and said plate are placed in facing relationship for frictionally retaining said other plate in paired modular interconnected engagement with said plate, wherein a flexible connecting hinge is retained between plates of a module of plates and extended between two of said modules to interconnect said modules along a straight side.

2. A building block structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said hinge has apertures formed therethrough for respectively receiving said pairs of projections of two pairs of plates of a module to pivotally interconnect said modules.

3. A building block structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said hinges have triangularly shaped apertures formed therethrough for receiving said paired projections with the sides of the apertures in respective engagement with three exposed sides of said paired projections.

4. A building block structure as defined in claim 2 wherein at least three modules are pivotally interconnected by said hinges to form a composite polyhedron structure having a closed aperture between adjacent modules.

5. A building block structure comprising a geometrically regular plate having planar upper and lower surfaces bounded by three straight edges, projections secured to said plate and extending from a surface thereof, said plate having recesses formed immediately adjacent the projection surface thereof and identical in cross section with said projections to respectively frictionally receive projections of another of said plates in paired relation with said projections of said disc when said other plate and said plate are placed in facing relationship for frictionally retaining said other plate in paired modular interconnected engagement with said plate, a flexible connecting hinge retained between plates of a module of plates and extended between two of said modules to interconnect said modules, said hinge has apertures formed therethrough for respectively receiving said pairs of projections of two pairs of plates of a module to pivotally interconnect said modules, at least three modules are pivotally interconnected by said hinges to form a composite polyhedron structure having a closed aperture between adjacent modules, and a strut means is frictionally positioned in the aperture of the structure to provide an extension thereto.

6. A building block structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said strut has end surfaces that are perpendicular to the axis of said strut to minimize the interference of the inserted end of said strut with other struts that may be inserted in the composite.

7. A building block structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said composite structure is a regular polyhedron assembled from modules having at least six sides and having an aperture therein immediately adjacent alternate sides of said modules through which no hinged interconnection is made with another of said modules.

8. A building block structure as defined in claim 7 wherein a strut retaining means is positioned within said composite structure and adapted to detachably retain said strut positioned in engagement therewith and within an aperture of said composite structure.

9. A building block structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and has surfaces adapted to frictionally engage the side of said strut when said strut is positioned in an aperture thereof along a path between apertures of said polyhedron and along an inner surface of one of the modules.

10. A building block structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said strut retaining means is a block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and a strut end block, said base block having a socket formed therein and opening generally toward an aperture of said polyhedron and said end block is adapted on one side thereof to frictionally receive and retain the end of said strut and has a plug on the other side thereof to frictionally enter and be retained in said base block in the socket thereof to retain said strut extending from the aperture along an axis through the polyhedron.

11. A building block structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and a strut connecting end block, said base block having a socket formed in one edge thereof adjacent an edge of said polyhedron between adjacent apertures thereof, and said connecting block is adapted on one side thereof to frictionally receive and retain one end of said strut between the adjacent apertures and has a plug extending perpendicular to said strut to frictionally enter and be retained in said base block in the socket slot thereof for retaining said strut extending from one of the apertures along an axis between the apertures.

12. A building block structure as defined in claim 8 wherein the composite and strut retaining means provide a complete choice of strut and associated strut directional paths for each aperture thereof which is unimpaired when said struts are not inserted more than half way along the path of the strut included within said composite.

13. A building block structure comprising regular polygonous plates having at least six sides and interconnected along certain sides thereof to form a truncated regular polyhedron with apertures formed by every other side of each adjacent plate wherein a strut is frictionally positioned in an aperture of the structure to provide an extension thereto, said strut having cross-section in the aperture substantially complemental to the aperture.

14. A building block structure comprising regular polygonous plates having at least six sides and interconnected along certain sides thereof to form a truncated regular polyhedron with apertures formed by every other side of each adjacent plate wherein a strut is frictionally positioned in an aperture of the structure to provide an extension thereo, said strut having cross-section in the aperture substantially complemental to the aperture wherein a strut retaining means is positioned within said structure and adapted to detachably retain said strut positioned in engagement therewith and within an aperture of said composite structure.

15. A building block structure comprising regular polygonous plates having at least six sides and interconnected along certain sides thereof to form a truncated regular polyhedron with apertures formed by every other side of each adjacent plate wherein a strut is frictionally positioned in an aperture of the structure to provide an extension thereto, said strut having cross-section in the aperture substantially complemental to the aperture wherein a strut retaining means is positioned within said structure and adapted to detachably retain said strut positioned in engagement therewith and within an aperture of said composite structure wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and has surfaces adapted to frictionally engage the side of said strut when said strut is positioned in an aperture thereof along a path between apertures of said polyhedron and along an inner surface of one of the modules.

16. A building block structure comprising regular polygonous plates having at least six sides and interconnected along certain sides thereof to form a truncated regular polyhedron with apertures formed by every other side of each adjacent plate wherein a strut is frictionally positioned in an aperture of the structure to provide an extension thereto, said strut having cross-section in the aperture substantially complemental to the aperture wherein a strut retaining means is positioned within said structure and adapted to detachably retain said strut positioned in engagement therewith and within an aperture of said composite structure, wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and has surfaces adapted to frictionally engage the side of said strut when said strut is positioned in an aperture thereof along a path between apertures of said polyhedron and along an inner surface of one of the modules, and wherein said strut retaining means is a block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and a strut end block, said base block having a socket formed therein and opening generally toward an aperture of said polyhedron and said end block is adapted on one side thereof to frictionally receive and retain the end of said strut and has a plug on the other side thereof to frictionally enter and be retained in said base block in the socket thereof to retain said strut extending from the aperture along an axis through the polyhedron.

17. A building block structure comprising regular polygonous plates having at least six sides and interconnected along certain sides thereof to form a truncated regular polyhedron with apertures formed by every other side of each adjacent plate wherein a strut is. frictionally positioned in an aperture of the structure to provide an extension thereto, said strut having cross section in the aperture substantially complemental to the aperture wherein a strut retaining means is positioned within said structure and adapted to detachably retain said strut positioned in engagement therewith and within an aperture of said composite structure, wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and has surfaces adapted to frictionally engage the side of said strut when said strut is positioned in an aperture thereof along a path between apertures of said polyhedron and along an inner surface of one of the modules, wherein said strut retaining means is a block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and a strut end block, said base block having a socket formed therein and opening generally toward an aperture of said polyhedron and said end block is adapted on one side thereof to frictionally receive and retain the end of said strut and has a plug on the other side thereof to frictionally enter and be retained in said base block in the socket thereof to retain said strut extending from the aperture along an axis through the polyhedron, wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and a strut connecting end block, said base block having a socket formed in one edge thereof adjacent an edge of said polyhedron between adjacent apertures thereof, and said connecting block is adapted on one side thereof to frictionally receive and retain one end of said strut between the adjacent apertures and has a plug extending perpendicular to said strut to frictionally enter and be retained in said base block in the socket slot thereof for retaining said strut extending from one of the apertures along an axis between the apertures.

18. A building block structure comprising regular polygonous plates having at least six sides and interconnected along certain sides thereof to form a truncated regular polyhedron with apertures formed by every other side of each adjacent plate wherein a strut is frictionally positioned in an aperture of the structure to provide an extension thereto, said strut having cross section in the aperture substantially complemental to the aperture wherein a strut retaining means is positioned Within said structure and adapted to detachably retain said strut positioned in engagement therewith and within an aperture of said composite structure, wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and has surfaces adapted to frictionally engage the side of said strut when said strut is positioned in an aperture thereof along a path between apertures of said polyhedron and along an inner surface of one of the modules, wherein said strut retaining means is a block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and a strut end block, said base block having a socket formed therein and opening generally toward an aperture of said polyhedron and said end block is adapted on one side thereof to frictionally receive and retain the end of said strut and has a plug on the other side thereof to frictionally enter and be retained in said base block in the socket thereof to retain said strut extending from the aperture along an axis through the polyhedron, wherein said strut retaining means is a base block adapted to be positioned within said polyhedron and a strut connecting end block, said base block having a socket formed in one edge thereof adjacent an edge of said polyhedron between adjacent apertures thereof, and said connecting block is adapted on one side thereof to frictionally receive and retain one end of said strut between the adjacent apertures and has a plug extending perpendicular to said strut to frictionally enter and be retained in said base block in the socket slot thereof for retaining said strut extending from one of the apertures along an axis between the apertures, wherein said structure and strut retaining means provide a complete choice of strut and associated strut directional paths for each aperture thereof which is unimpaired when said struts are not inserted more than half way ayong the path of the strut included within said structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,013,771 9/1935 Tompkins 46-25 2,132,647 10/1938 Robin's 46-26 2,425,729 8/1947 Sherbinin 46-25 2,610,856 9/1952 Welty 46-25 2,708,329 5/1955 McKee 5-2-593 2,776,521 1/1957 Zimmerman 46-25 2,942,453 6/1960 Kaul 52-574 3,100,953 8/1963 Johnson 52-572 3,242,610 3/1966 Christiansen 46-26 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,259,001 1961 France.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

J. L. RIDGILL, Assistant Examiner. 

